finally blacked out my chrome

[Dat Aus]

today, i finally got off my ass and blacked out all my bling. grille and door trims. it's only done with black electrical tape for now. i plan on painting the grille, because all of it is pretty shoddy close up with the tape. so i will take the grille off and paint that. how difficult is it to get the door trim off to paint? i really like it

grille before
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/matthafer/Picture1-44.png
after
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/matthafer/Picture4-12.png
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/matthafer/Picture5-8.png

door trim before
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/matthafer/Picture3-15.png
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/matthafer/Picture2-25.png

after
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/matthafer/Picture6-5.png
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/matthafer/Picture7-3.png

let us know what you think. and before you say it. a drop is on the way. in about 2 months time, it should be 2.5 centimeters lower. i also have some genuine hartge skirts lined up and will be painting all my lowers when they go on. i'll do a proper photoshoot when it's all done

[Analog]

The only way to go with the grill is to paint it.

And just tape off around the trim. And mask the ENTIRE CAR.

Overspray :(

[Dat Aus]

surely there is a way you can take the grille out to paint it?

[Analog]

oh haha yes.

Just pull it off. There are a couple tabs that hold it in place.

Pull it from the inside edge.

[Dat Aus]

is it easy to put back in?

what about the door trim. know much about that? and what sort of paint should i use?

[Analog]

is it easy to put back in?

what about the door trim. know much about that? and what sort of paint should i use?


Yes it is a very simple process. Pull off paint, put back on.
---
I masked all around the trim. Sanded it down with some 320 grit sand paper, then painted the trim semi-gloss.

Gloss looked somewhat cheap looking.

[Dat Aus]

yeah i think it would have to be flat black. maybe a weekend project once i have finished school in 2 weeks. cheers for the info

[hunterd557]

surely there is a way you can take the grille out to paint it?


Yeah, the grill comes out, it just clips in, but it's a BITCH to remove, I've done it on 2 540s and 1 535i . . . not fun to take off but definitely worth it when it's complete . . .

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a63/nightmajik/BMW/540i/DSC_9028.jpg

-Stig

[Dat Aus]

yeah nice. will i break anything trying to get it out?

[Analog]

yeah nice. will i break anything trying to get it out?

Most people break a couple tabs off the grill removing it. No big deal really.

[hunterd557]

Perhaps, I broke the grille clips on my parts car when I did the first one, but if you have the right tools, you can pull the grille off and the worse that should happen is a few scratches on the bumper . . . but it's a difficult job, just take your time, and place a rag or towel on the opposite side of your screwdriver . . .two slot-head screw drivers should be able to get it off.

-Stig


:::::EDIT:::::

Hey Bimmer540i, we gotta meet up one of these days and chill . . . you ever been to Brunswick?

[Dat Aus]

shit. now you're made me nervous.

would it be easier if i just painted it whilst on teh car?

[hunterd557]

not really, unless you're very . . . VERY clever with masking. I would suggest taking it off. If you're that nervous, take it to a body shop, have them remove it, take it home, paint it, and when it dries, just stick it back on yourself.

It's not THAT difficult, it just takes a pair of steady hands, a boat-load of paitence and . . . perhaps . . . .a little inebriation . . .:rofl

-Stig

[Dat Aus]

hmm, i'll give it a go. im fairly patient and i've got a good hand. i'll just hope i dont brake any clips.


what sort of paint should i use? and how much should i sand it?

[hunterd557]

To be completely honest with you, I didn't even sand my job and it came out great! I just washed my grille with soap and water, let it dry, put down a single layer of primer, let THAT dry, then top coated with gloss black. Some prefer semi-gloss or flat . . . I like the "mean" look that gloss black gives. I use Rustoleum automotive paint and paint-can gun . . .the spraygun that goes over the can.

-Stig

[Dat Aus]

cheers mate, i reckon i prefer the flat black.

i wont be doing it for a few weeks so the tape will do for now. but after seeing what it looks like its definately going to happen

[moonsspoon]

You will want to sand it. 320 grit as mentioned earlier. Just sand enough to where it is all evenly-scuffed and not as shiny. Sanding will make it last a lot longer and will really only take an extra minute or two of your time. Just make sure to clean all the dust off after you sand it before you paint it.

[jcraig]

yeah, the grill is easier to get off than the door trim, and it you don't have to get a bunch of new clips like the door trim. Just knock off the slick with sandpaper, prime, paint, slap back on.

[E34N]

Looks like most girls I see.. they look good from far.. but far from good. Definitely get them painted. But I like the way you're going with it.

[Dr. Bimmer]

I like the look of satin black. I looks much better than flat or gloss. IMHO. Do what you like best.

[robram12]

satin finish and texture resemble the rubber surrounds the closest. looks nice either way. definitely addition to my project list.

[IamCatman]

I agree ...satin or semi-flat ...but not flat or gloss.

>^..^<

[atl530i]

The only way to go with the grill is to paint it.

And just tape off around the trim. And mask the ENTIRE CAR.

Overspray :(

+1 Even if you are painting a small part of the car, overspray can get anywhere and everywhere. I bought black grills off ebay last year and do not have to worry about rock chips anymore :)

[bc419]

I would also black out the chrome trim on the interior side of the windows. Minor detail, but i think it helps the overall effect.

Brian
'89 535i/5sp Alpine White

[steve0suprem0]

I agree ...satin or semi-flat ...but not flat or gloss.

>^..^<


+1, but here's another idea, which i plan to do: take the trim off, sand it or at least scotch-brite it. then take it to your local powder coater and ask for hinge black. i've always loved that texture and it would look AWESOME